Transitions for players from club to club during the transfer window. Transitions for clubs from last season's winners and losers to the new hopes for the seasons ahead. More locally, transitions for MLS clubs from long-standing managers and transitions from the All-Star Game to the playoff push. And most prominently in the U.S., transitions from one set of national team players to the next (and, of course, the transition from one site design to another here at SI!).

The U.S. men won't be going to the Olympics, prompting another "lost generation" conversation sparked by U.S. manager and technical director Jurgen Klinsmann. And while there's truth to the fact that not going to Rio is another setback, headway can still be made for rising teenagers and young 20-somethings on the club level. The problem is, some of the most prominent players for the future are set to start vital, turning-point seasons abroad, during which meaningful playing time and fast-tracked development are anything but givens.

The list of intriguing prospects on the horizon for the near and distant future is one that inspires hope, but that list, as of now, primarily remains on paper and that hope remains hypothetical.

Carli Lloyd celebrates her goal that kicks off the scoring for the USA in a 3-1 win over the Netherlands at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta.

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

USWNT vs. Thailand, September 15

U.S. women's national team co-captain Carli Lloyd happily signs autographs after scoring a hat trick in a 9-0 romp over Thailand in Columbus, Ohio.

Jamie Sabau/Getty Images

USWNT vs. Thailand, September 15

Megan Rapinoe kneels for the national anthem ahead of the U.S. women's national team's match vs. Thailand, continuing her public protest in line with that of San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick.

Jamie Sabau/Getty Images

USMNT vs. Trinidad & Tobago, September 6

Fabian Johnson, Christian Pulisic and Sacha Kljestan celebrate during a 4-0 win, which cemented the USA's place atop its World Cup qualifying group and a berth in the CONCACAF hexagonal.

Sam Greenwood/Getty Images

USWNT vs. Sweden, August 12

The long and stunned faces say it all, as the U.S. women try to comprehend a penalty-kick loss to Sweden in the Olympic quarterfinals. The 4-3 PK defeat after a 1-1 draw marked the earliest ouster for the U.S. women in a major competition ever.

Celso Junior/Getty Images

USWNT vs. Colombia, August 9

Hope Solo lets a Catalina Usme free kick slip through her hands and legs in a shocking 2-2 draw. The USA still won its Olympic group despite the slip-up.

Brazil Photo Press/CON/Getty Images

USWNT vs. France, August 6

Carli Lloyd scores the only goal in a 1-0 win over a stout France side to punch the USA's ticket to the knockout stage at the Olympics.

Pedro Vilela/Getty Images

USWNT vs. New Zealand, August 3

Carli Lloyd celebrates her goal in the USA's 2-0 win over New Zealand in their opening match of group play at the Olympics. Alex Morgan doubled the USA's lead in the second half.

Gustavo Andrade/Getty Images

USWNT vs. Costa Rica, July 22

Christen Press and Carli Lloyd celebrate an easy 4-0 win, which sent the U.S. on its way to Rio with an unbeaten record in 2016.

Jamie Squire/Getty Images

USWNT vs. South Africa, July 9

Hope Solo salutes the crowd after posting the 100th clean sheet of her career in a 1-0 win in Chicago. Crystal Dunn scored the lone goal.

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

USMNT vs. Colombia, June 25

For a second time at Copa America, the USA falls to Colombia, with Carlos Bacca's goal the difference in a 1-0 result in the third-place match in Arizona.

Norman Hall/LatinContent/Getty Images

USMNT vs. Argentina, June 21

Lionel Messi converts an incredible free kick to punctuate a dominant performance for Argentina against the USA in the Copa America semifinals.

Bob Levey/Getty Images

USMNT vs. Ecuador, June 16

Goal scorers Clint Dempsey and Gyasi Zardes share a celebratory hug with Matt Besler in the Copa America quarterfinals, where the Americans held on for a 2-1 win and a place in the semis.

Jason Redmond/AFP/Getty Images

USMNT vs. Paraguay, June 11

Clint Dempsey celebrates his goal in a 1-0 win over Paraguay, which secured the USA's place in the Copa America knockout stage.

Don Emmert/AFP/Getty Images

USMNT vs. Costa Rica, June 7

Bobby Wood caps a dominating first half for the USA in a must-win game vs. Costa Rica in Chicago at Copa America. Clint Dempsey, Jermaine Jones and Graham Zusi also scored.

David Banks/LatinContent/Getty Images

USWNT vs. Japan, June 5

Co-captain Becky Sauerbrunn defends as the U.S. bounces back to shut out Japan 2-0 in a rain-shortened friendly in Cleveland.

Jason Miller/Getty Images

USMNT vs. Colombia, June 3

James Rodriguez beats Brad Guzan from the penalty spot in Colombia's 2-0 win over the USA to open Copa America Centenario.

Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

USWNT vs. Japan, June 2

Lindsey Horan heads the USA in front to cap a comeback from two goals down, but the Americans conceded in extra time to 10-woman Japan, settling for a 3-3 draw.

Doug Pensinger/Getty Images

USMNT vs. Bolivia, May 29

Christian Pulisic scores his first international goal in the USA's 4-0 win over Bolivia in a final tune-up for Copa America. Gyasi Zardes scored twice, and John Brooks added one of his own in the triumph.

Kyle Rivas/Getty Images

USMNT vs. Ecuador, May 25

Darlington Nagbe is hugged by Christian Pulisic after his 90th-minute volley delivers a 1-0 victory for the USA in a pre-Copa America friendly.

Tom Pennington/Getty Images

USMNT vs. Puerto Rico, May 22

Tim Ream scores the opening goal in the USA's 3-0 win over Puerto Rico in the first meeting between the two sides. Bobby Wood and Paul Arriola scored as well.

Xavier Garcia/LatinContent/Getty Images

USWNT vs. Colombia, April 10

Julie Johnston, left, is mobbed after one of her two goals in a 3-0 USA win at Talen Energy Stadium in Chester, Pennsylvania.

Mitchell Leff/Getty Images

USWNT vs. Colombia, April 6

Allie Long, left scores twice, and five other players score as well in a 7-0 rout of Colombia in East Hartford, Connecticut.

Jim Rogash/Getty Images

USMNT vs. Guatemala, March 29

Christian Pulisic, 17, makes his U.S. debut in a World Cup qualifier in Columbus, Ohio, becoming cap-tied to the USA. He was otherwise eligible for Croatia.

Jamie Sabau/Getty Images

USMNT vs. Guatemala, March 29

Clint Dempsey and Jozy Altidore celebrate during a thorough 4-0 World Cup qualifying win, putting the USA's campaign back on track after the setback in Guatemala.

Paul Vernon/AFP/Getty Images

USMNT vs. Guatemala, March 25

There was no way through for DeAndre Yedlin and the USA during a 2-0 loss in Guatemala in what was a stunning setback in the Americans' World Cup qualifying campaign.

Johan Ordonez/AFP/Getty Images

USWNT vs. Germany, March 9

The USWNT celebrates the inaugural SheBelieves Cup title after beating European powers England, France and Germany in succession.

Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

USWNT vs. Germany, March 9

The U.S. celebrates Alex Morgan's equalizer vs. Germany in the SheBelieves Cup in Boca Raton, Florida. Samantha Mewis's winner a few minutes later cemented the Americans' overall triumph in the competition.

Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

USWNT vs. France, March 6

Alex Morgan scores the game-winner in a 1-0 victory over France in the second game of the SheBelieves Cup in Nashville, Tennessee.

Frederick Breedon/Getty Images

USWNT vs. England, March 3

Crystal Dunn is mobbed after her game-winning goal kicks off the SheBelieves Cup in a 1-0 triumph in Tampa Bay, Florida.

Mike Carlson/AP

USWNT vs. Canada, February 21

Lindsey Horan celebrates her goal that helps the USA to a 2-0 win over Canada and a first-place finish in CONCACAF Olympic qualifying.

Scott Halleran/Getty Images

USWNT vs. Trinidad and Tobago, February 19

Alex Morgan celebrates one of her three goals that helped the U.S. clinch a berth in the 2016 Olympics after a 5-0 triumph in Houston.

Scott Halleran/Getty Images

USWNT vs. Puerto Rico, February 15

Crystal Dunn scores one of her five goals, tying a single-game U.S. record in a 10-0 rout to close group play in Olympic qualifying.

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

USWNT vs. Mexico, February 13

The U.S. needed a penalty kick from Carli Lloyd to beat Mexico 1-0 in the second match of CONCACAF's Olympic qualifying tournament.

Tom Pennington/Getty Images

USWNT vs. Costa Rica, February 10

Alex Morgan scores the fastest goal in U.S. history, netting 12 seconds into the USWNT's Olympic qualifying campaign and sending the Americans on their way to a 5-0 win.

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

USMNT vs. Canada, February 5

Jozy Altidore heads in the winner to secure a 1-0 win over Canada at StubHub Center to cap the annual winter training camp.

Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images

USMNT vs. Iceland, January 31

Steve Birnbaum heads in a late winner in a 3-2 victory over Iceland in the opening match of the year.

Shaun Clark/Getty Images

USWNT vs. Ireland, January 23

17-year-old Mallory Pugh scores on her debut, helping cap a 5-0 win for the USA to open the year. Carli Lloyd led the way with a hat trick, and Alex Morgan scored as well in San Diego.

Todd Warshaw/Getty Images

U.S. Soccer in 2016: USMNT and USWNT year in photos

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Given the typical turnover in national team rosters during the final half of a World Cup cycle, plenty of change should be expected between the end of the semifinal round of CONCACAF qualifying, the hexagonal that begins in November and the ensuing march to Russia that should, despite CONCACAF's trickier landscape, result in an eighth straight trip to the world's showcase event. (For reference: 10 players on the gameday roster for the hex-opening match in 2013 did not go to Brazil the following summer. Change is natural). But the players who should be part of that turnover have to comply and take matters into their own hands (and feet), which makes 2016-17 as important as a campaign can be for many of them.

Take 17-year-old Christian Pulisic, who is the most U.S.-ready of the bunch, but now has a new fight for time on his hands.

With Borussia Dortmund luring German internationals Andre Schurrle and Mario Gotze and rising French and Turkish attackers Ousmane Dembele and Emre Mor to his club this summer, he'll have to earn his place under manager Thomas Tuchel all over again. He certainly helped his case Thursday with a late equalizer (and converted penalty) against Manchester City in their International Champions Cup friendly, but one preseason goal does not guarantee anything going forward.

All that said, Pulisic, even in his brief opportunities with the U.S., has proven he belongs and offers more tangible value to the U.S. than any prospect in recent memory. The worry sits more with those behind him in the pecking order of so-called rising stars based abroad.

Gedion Zelalem and Julian Green are presently in the U.S., getting their chances in preseason with Arsenal and Bayern Munich, respectively (and giving U.S. fans a rare chance to actually see them play instead of blindly pontificating about their abilities). It's wonderful that both have been and continue to be with such storied clubs, and it's a testament to their potential and skill level. Does either have a realistic chance of first-team minutes this season at those clubs, though?

Zelalem spent last season on loan at Rangers, and another loan is his likeliest path to real time and, more importantly, a chance to secure the first of what could be many senior caps. He was supposedly senior-team ready 16 months ago, according to Klinsmann, but has yet to earn the chance to show it.

Green, after his controversial inclusion on the 2014 World Cup roster and goal vs. Belgium, has his annual fight against Bayern's cavalcade of stars. If "Bayern first team or bust" is really his mindset, as SI's Grant Wahl reported Wednesday, it's an admirable outlook and one Klinsmann is sure to appreciate, but who, exactly, is he unseating for the Champions League title contender? Another season in Germany's fourth tier playing for Bayern's reserves won't cut it, and a loan out could do wonders.

Further down the the youth spectrum, there's Emerson Hyndman and Jerome Kiesewetter, who have both received brief looks with the senior team and were part of the U-23s' failed Olympic qualifying effort. Hyndman's leap from Fulham to the Premier League with Bournemouth oozes potential (although he's battling a preseason ankle knock), while Kiesewetter, for all of his athletic prowess and attacking tools, was barely able to crack Stuttgart's first team. His signing with Fortuna Dusseldorf could put him on the Bobby Wood path to a second-tier launching pad.

The names beyond them have their own battles. Matt Miazga was a New York Red Bulls stalwart, but he must prove he belongs at Chelsea to defensive maestro and new manager Antonio Conte. Shane O'Neill continues his odd Eurotrip after departing MLS. And on down the line of U.S. prospects with eyes on senior roles.

For a lot of young stars, the battle of club prestige vs. playing time is a tough one. The bigger club looks great on the resume, but the lesser landing spot might prove to be the better destination for the short and long term. That's what the "lost generation," one that Klinsmann says he wants to turn to but can't just yet, is facing, and that's what makes this year, above all others, so important for the supposed next crop of national team stars poised to displace the aging veterans.

Transition can't happen solely for transition sake, but as many a national team coach has said, the international game is a young man's one. Just look at the roles played by Renato Sanches (18), Raphael Guerreiro (22) and Joao Mario (23) on Portugal's run to the Euro 2016 title. The U.S. has talent waiting in the wings, but in order for it to be a part of the road to Russia, it needs the chance to flourish on a regular basis.

If all goes well, it'll be a smooth transition to the next generation, but as recent years and international youth tournaments have proven, that is one iffy "if" until shown otherwise.

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